Wamalwa to flex political muscle at rally in ODM’s stronghold

MPs from left Musikari Kombo, Eugene Wamalwa and Bonny Khalwale. PHOTO/ MICHAEL MUTE

By LUCAS BARASA and PETER LEFTIEPosted Saturday, January 23 2010 at 20:00

In Summary

• POLITICS: Members of KKK alliance plan to use occasion to gauge whether they can make inroads into Western Province and eat into Orange party’s huge support in the region.

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa’s political future faces the acid test on Saturday when he hosts a rally in Bungoma described by organisers as “a major political event”.

Proponents of the so called KKK (Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Kamba) alliance plan to use the rally to gauge whether they can make inroads into Western Province and eat into ODM’s huge support base in the area.

The rally, which Mr Wamalwa says he will use to announce his 2012 presidential bid, has sent jitters across the political spectrum in the province with some area MPs vowing to give it a wide berth.

ODM won majority of the parliamentary seats – 18 of 24 – in the province. Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi, who has since established himself as the most senior politician in the province, is facing challenges from both Mr Wamalwa and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

Mr Wamalwa is also seeking to wrest the Ford Kenya chairmanship from nominated MP Musikari Kombo.

Mr Mudavadi is also facing competition from ODM deputy party leader and colleague William Ruto whose allies are said to have been holding secret meetings in the province to strategise how Mr Ruto could penetrate the region.

Sources told the Sunday Nation that Mr Ruto, Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka were keenly watching events in Western Province with a view to cash in on Mr Wamalwa’s efforts to eat into ODM’s support in the region.

The three are said to be quietly backing Mr Wamalwa’s political moves with the intention of entering a political deal with him ahead of the 2012 elections.

Show solidarity

Mr Ruto’s key Rift Valley ally Joshua Kutuny is among those planning to attend the Bungoma rally to show solidarity with Mr Wamalwa, whom he describes as a “like-minded politician”.

Mr Musyoka’s spokesman Kaplich Barsito was, however, not certain whether the VP would attend the rally.

Lucas Watta, a member of the Western Province Elders Advisory Council, scoffed at the rally saying it would ignite unnecessary tensions in the area at a time when the residents were still pursuing healing and reconciliation following the violence after the 2007 General Elections.

“This region was one of the worst affected. Our people had their ears chopped off in Mt Elgon. Many people were also killed in Trans Nzoia. What we need is peace. It is too early to start political campaigns,” Mr Watta said.

Mr Watta, a Bungoma nominated councillor, said Western Province residents were fully behind Mr Mudavadi’s “being the most senior politician here”.

“It is Mr Mudavadi who will show us the way. We don’t want political novices to scuttle our road to the country’s leadership. Mr Wamalwa should have held the rally in his Saboti constituency or in Othaya where the Simama Kenya leader hails from,” he said.

The rally, expected to be attended by President Kibaki’s son, Jimmy, who is the patron of the Simama Kenya initiative, has also met some resistance from a section of local leaders led by assistant minister Alfred Khang’ati on grounds that it was likely to “provoke” the residents who allegedly are of another political persuasion (ODM).

Tony Gachoka, an ally of the younger Kibaki, told the Sunday Nation he had been camping in Bungoma for more than a week “to prepare the ground”.

Kimilili MP Dr Eseli Simiyu has also criticised Mr Wamalwa’s decision to run for the presidency saying it is misplaced.

But Sports and Youth Affairs assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando said it is commendable to see more youthful leaders vie for the top-most leadership position in the country

“It is okay for youthful leaders to shape a new patriotic political dispensation with fresh ideas to propel Kenya into the next generation of leadership,” he said.

Mr Kabando added that the youthful leadership should, however, shun ethnic chieftainship and instead seek to unite the people of Kenya.

In an interview with the Sunday Nation, Mr Wamalwa said his quest to become Kenya’s fourth president was unstoppable.

The Saboti MP also spoke about his association with the country’s leading politicians including the First Family, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mr Musyoka.

The MP also defended his involvement with Simama Kenya.

He stated that he would use the rally organised by Simama Kenya to formally launch his presidential campaign.

“The rally is on, and all are invited. Those who have criticised me are free to attend, and maybe they will have an opportunity to listen to me and change their minds,” said Mr Wamalwa.

He dismissed claims that his association with Simama Kenya was likely to dent his political standing, especially in Western Kenya as it is perceived to be a Central Province outfit.

“Simama Kenya is all about youth empowerment. It is out to ensure that the younger generation plays a critical role in the management of our country’s affairs. The youth agenda is a subject close to my heart,” he said.

Mr Wamalwa also defended his links with Mr Ruto and Tourism minister Najib Balala who have broken ranks with Mr Odinga, saying there was nothing sinister about it.

“There is nothing wrong with me appearing in a function with honourable Ruto. He is my neighbour at the constituency, and we maintain very cordial relations,” he said.